Notre Dame to honor ex-Catholic Relief Services head

Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame is giving its top award to the man who led Catholic Relief Services for 18 years before retiring in December.

The school announced that it will present the Laetare (lay-TAH-ray) Medal to Ken Hackett during the school’s May 20 commencement. The Rev. John Jenkins, president of the university, says Hackett’s direction of the Catholic Church’s outreach to the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and unsheltered blended administrative acumen with compassion in a unique and exemplary way.

Since 1883, the Laetare Medal has been awarded annually to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity.” Past award recipients include former President John F. Kennedy and former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr.